IBMA’S 2011 ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS TAKE THE VIRTUAL STAGE FOR GLOBAL AUDIENCE TO CELEBRATE APRIL 10 CD RELEASE

Grammy-nominated bluegrass sensation, The Steep Canyon Rangers are anticipating the imminent release of their debut Rounder Records recorded effort “Nobody Knows You.” They are pushing the boundaries of bluegrass and making it accessible to both traditional and progressive audiences of this genre. Grammy nominated for their collaboration with icon Steve Martin, these personable young musicians are as Steve Martin puts it, “not only great musicians who continue to explore both the new and old styles of bluegrass and bring a fresh energy to the traditions of American music, but they are also really fun on a bus.” This highly engaging band has reached the largest number of people with bluegrass music in 2011 and now they want to bring all of their followers together on their release date. The Steep Canyon Rangers are doing this by partnering with Yowie to bring fans a free online concert straight from Woody Platt’s porch in North Carolina on release day, Tuesday April 10th at 7p.m. EST.

The Steep Canyon Rangers chose Yowie because it allows their fans to have a more personal interaction with them. Yowie is a web based, video platform enabling video chat, high quality video streaming and crowd interaction. The Yowie experience is designed to appeal to today’s fans who expect authenticity. Chats and performances are inclusive and intimate and the “broadcast-able from anywhere” content platform presents a brand new medium for bands and fans alike. Yowie also allows audiences who may not be able to experience the band live during a regular tour date to experience what it would be like at a show. Steep Canyon Rangers frontman Woody Platt says, “We are using Yowie as a way to make the day of our album release unique! We will be playing songs from our new record and will be able to connect with our online audience. We are very proud of this new project and it will give folks a chance to hear the new tunes played live while they sit in the comfort of their own homes.”